Pedestrian & Bike Safety

Please take a few moments to watch the video below. The Wilton Manors Police Department Chief of Police Paul O'Connell shares some tips on how pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists can safely use the crosswalks in the City of Wilton Manors.

ALERT TODAY, ALIVE TOMORROW(click here for National Campaign website)
The “Alert Today Alive Tomorrow” campaign is presented via TV, radio, social media, transit advertising, local education, and enforcement activities. The media campaign was rolled out in the ten Florida counties with the highest numbers of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities and injuries. The message that “Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident” is a reminder for all roadway users to pay attention and follow the rules of the road.

Walking or biking while impaired increases your chances of being struck. STAY SOBER.

Bicyclists should have their bicycle equipped with a white light on the front visible from a distance of 500 feet and a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet, between sunset and sunrise during operation.

Pedestrians should carry a flashlight when walking at night.

Bicyclists should wear a bicycle helmet for safety. Florida law only requires bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 16 yoa to wear a bicycle safety helmet during operation of the bicycle.

Bicyclists operating on the roadway are subject to obeying all traffic control devices to include stop signs and lighted traffic signals.

Pedestrians crossing the roadway at any other point other than a cross-walked intersection should yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles and cross at a right angle or shortest possible route to the opposite curb.

Drivers should always be cognizant of pedestrians and bicyclists utilizing sidewalks, crosswalks and roadways. Drivers should exercise due care to avoid colliding with a pedestrian or bicyclists, as they share rights on the roadway.

Bicyclists operating upon a sidewalk or crosswalk shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian.

All bicycles operated upon the roadway or sidewalk shall be equipped with brakes enabling the bicycle to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 MPH.

Any person operating a bicycle is required to keep at least one hand on the handlebars while in operation.

Parking lots and on-street parking spaces are common places for pedestrian crashes, be cognizant of backup lights on vehicles and engine noise. Also, do not walk directly behind vehicles but several feet away from rear or front of vehicle to allow the driver to see you.

Older adults should be cognizant of the crossing timer at lighted intersections and ensure not to start crossing late in the countdown.

Older adults tend to have too much trust in the road safety system and need to re-educate themselves on pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Unsafe driver behavior associated with pedestrian and bicycle violations, crashes and fatalities:
Speeding (5 MPH can make the difference between types of injuries)

Failure to stop for red lights or stop signs

Failure to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists

Distracted driving

Blocking crosswalks

Turning on permitted light (green signal) but not looking for pedestrian properly crossing in crosswalk -Right and Left turn crashes with pedestrian.